ACCION OPPORTUNITY FUND

Offer small business loans ($5-$100K) as well as educational resources, coaching, and support networks in English and Spanish.
English: 844-OPP-FUND (844-677-3863) | Español: 833-OPP-FUND (844-677-3863)

Tags: financial literacy, access to capital

ACORN PROJECT

The IDRS Acorn Project works closely with tribes to provide training and technical assistance in small business skills development to their Native entrepreneurs.

Tags: grants, technical assistance, training

ACUTE & CRISIS SERVICES

Crisis services and Mobile Crisis Teams to respond to individuals in the community experiencing an acute behavioral health crisis.

Tags: mental health, emergency, safety

Alameda County Employer Advisory Council (EAC)

Membership organization that provides a Management Hotline for labor law questions, seminars, education, and training related to HR issues.

Tags: HR, workforce, law, employment, training

Alameda County Small Business Development Center

The Alameda County SBDC provides free consulting and seminars, along with connections to additional resources, to local business owners.

Tags: advising, workshops, seminars, training

ALAMEDA COUNTY TRAINING & EDUCATION CENTER

Offers innovating learning for business owners and their employees, team development, and premier conference services.

Tags: advising, workshops, seminars, training, teams, conferences, meeting space

The American Indian Chamber Education Fund Procurement Technical Assistance Center (AICEF PTAC)

Works with Native American businesses and Tribal enterprises to help pursue and perform under contracts with federal agencies, state, and local governments and their contractors.

Tags: advising, government contracts, contracting

American Sustainable Business Council & Social Venture Circle (ASBC-SVC)

Facilitates major investments ($220,K-$3M) into early stage impact ventures with high growth potential in a variety of specific industries.

Tags: advising, investing, funding

ASCENT

Ascent is divided into major topics called Journeys, developed by experts in women's entrepreneurship. Choose any journey to start, skip the ones you already know.

Tags: business development, discussion groups, webinars

Association of Manufacturers Bay Area

Provides manufacturing companies collaboration, education, workforce development, purchasing power, and advocacy.

Tags: manufacturers, workshops, seminars, training, networking

Bay Area Organization of Black Owned Businesses (BAOBOB)

Provides Black-owned businesses with digital marketing, exclusive discounts, participation in a gift card network, members-only events, and much more.

Tags: networking, marketing, sales, events

Bay Area urban Manufacturing initiative

Facilitates the creation of a well-defined and interconnected Bay Area manufacturing industry ecosystem through branding, workshops, networking, and events.

Tags: manufacturers, workshops, seminars, training, networking

CalAsian Chamber of Commerce

Procurement assistance, marketing outreach, loan assistance, business consulting for Asian-American businesses in California.

Tags: advising, workshops, seminars, training, networking, capital, loans

CalChamber

Members-only Human Resources website that includes the HR Library, required forms, and hundreds of additional tools and resources at your fingertips.

Tags: labor law, HR, workforce

California Enterprise Development Authority (CEDA)

Single point of contact financing assistance for nonprofits and for manufacturing/processing industries looking to buy land, invest in equipment, or to build facilities.

Tags: capital, loans, investments, major purchasing, manufacturers

CALIFORNIA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Works to promote, support, and encourage the advancement and development of Hispanic and minority-owned businesses.

Tags: advising, workshops, seminars, training, networking, networking, advocacy

California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC)

Advisor providing solutions that increase the productivity and competitiveness of California’s manufacturers.

Tags: advising, manufacturing, consulting

The California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA)

Supports economic growth and innovation ensuring that small businesses have the support they need to better navigate resources, programs, and regulations.

Tags: government contracts, access to capital, business resources, permits/licenses

CAL STATE EAST BAY

Ongoing education for business owners and leaders, including degrees, certifications, and licenses.

Tags: classes, education, certificates, licenses

CDC Small Business Finance

A nonprofit lender ($5K-$20M) providing capital to small businesses so they can expand, grow and create jobs.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

CENTRO COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Offers educational programs for startups and early-stage businesses, including financial and business planning assistance, for low-income women, minorities, and veterans.

Tags: financial literacy, advising, planning

COMMUNITY BANK OF THE BAY

Offers loans, credit cards, merchant services, banking services, real estate and construction loans for the diverse and underserved small business community, nonprofits, unions, and individuals.

Clearinghouse Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI)

Commercial loan amounts tailored from $500,000 – $15 million for projects that improve communities through measurable benefits.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

Community Reinvestment Fund

A nonprofit lender ($150K-$4M) that uses more than just credit scores for loans for real estate, business acquisition, equipment, working capital, debt refinancing, and more.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

Community Vision Capital & Consulting

Offers loans ($50K-$3M) using measures other than just credit score to businesses in human services, arts and culture, healthy food, and employee ownership, and more.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

Cutting Edge Capital

Provides strategy and legal services that assist businesses and nonprofits in operating sustainably, including capital strategies ($100K) to attract impact investors.

Tags: access to capital, legal services, investments, advising

EAST BAY ASIAN LOCAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (EBALDC)

Develops provides affordable commercial spaces for nonprofit organizations, retail businesses, and service providers that hire from and serve local residents.

Tags: real estate, financing, property

East Bay East Bay Economic Development Alliance (EDA)

Member organization that serves as the voice and networking resource for strengthening the economy, building the workforce, and enhancing quality of life.

Tags: access to capital, workshops, resources, training, seminars

EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT - STATE OF CALIFORNIA

Employer’s hub for hiring, training, work sharing, unemployment and disability insurance, payroll taxes, independent contractor reporting, new hire reporting, and more.

Tags: workforce development, HR, hiring, training, employment

Hebrew Free Loan

Interest-free loans up to $50k for Jewish residents (or applying for a business loan in partnership with a Northern California Jewish resident).

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

INCLUSIVITY PROJECT

Help connect Black entrepreneurs and Black-owned small businesses with the capital and mentorship they need to start and grow their business.

Tags: access to capital, mentorship

INNER CITY ADVISORS

ICA provides coaching, connections, and capital to grow Bay Area businesses and close the gender and racial wealth gap.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing, advising

KAPOR CAPITAL

Invest in Oakland’s startups — particularly minority-owned — that use technology to improve society and equality in the fields of education, finance, health, work, justice, and more.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing, technology

LANEY COLLEGE

Degrees and certificate programs for professional development, internship programs, and nontraditional classes.

Tags: education, certificates, licenses, training

Lao Family Community Development

Lao Family offers an array of services to employers including recruiting, hiring incentives, apprenticeships, temp-to-hire, volunteers, and more.

Tags: HR, workforce, internships, hiring

LAWYERS IN THE LIBRARY

A free information and referral program offering one-on-one appointments with lawyers that can answer questions on most legal topics.

Tags: legal, law, attorneys

Main Street Launch

Provides business owners with capital ($10K-$250K), education, and relationships — using more than just credit scores — that allow the business to flourish.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

MEDA

Offers a community loan fund ($5K-$100K) – Fondo Adelante – to provide access to capital to small-business owners who cannot get a loan at a traditional bank.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

Provides access to contracts, access to capital, business match-making, and global business development to foster the growth and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses.

Tags: technical assistance, access to capital, government contracting

Mission Asset Fund (MAF)

A nonprofit organization that creates Lending Circle programs to offer community- based loans for individuals to safely build their credit.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

Nonprofit Finance Fund

Advances missions and social progress of nonprofits through financing ($500K-$6M), consulting, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing, advising, consulting

Northern California Financial Development Corporation (Nor-Cal FDC)

Provides greater access to a variety of sources of capital to underserved small business persons located in California that are considered economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce

Access to workshops, business development opportunities, and advocacy to advance economic opportunity and strengthen Oakland’s Black business community.

Tags: training, workshops, workforce development, networking

Oakland Black Business Fund

Black-led grant-making program providing capital, technical assistance, and growth strategy to Black owned businesses in Oakland.

Tags: access to capital, grants, financing, advising

Oakland Business Assistance Center

The Business Assistance Center offers free help and referrals for small business owners and entrepreneurs located in Oakland.

Tags: advising, city government, permitting, workshops

Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce

Promoting and advocating for diverse ethnic groups and a range of businesses and professions in both inside and outside Oakland Chinatown.

Tags: networking, workshops, advocacy

OAKLAND INDIE ALLIANCE

Marketing (Keep It Oakland), networking, and fundraising for more than 400 small-scale entrepreneurs united to preserve Oakland’s variety, energy, and social fabric.

Tags: advocacy, networking, marketing

Oakland Latino Chamber of Commerce

Promotes and supports Latino-owned businesses with a commitment towards creating a healthy business environment through collaboration, advocacy, and economic development.

Tags: networking, advising, marketing, advocacy

Oakland METROPOLITAN Chamber of Commerce

Promotes commerce and industry, advances economic growth, and enhances the quality of life in the City of Oakland.

Tags: networking, advising, marketing, advocacy

Oakland Private Industry Council

Career center that partners with employers to find qualified employees, provide services and programs, and provides rapid response support.

Tags: HR, workforce, hiring

Oakland Vietnamese Chamber of Commerce

Provides resources and assistance to its members regarding business startup, development, and expansion.

Tags: advocacy, networking, training

OCCUR

Provides free technical assistance workshops, computer devices, mini-grants, financial literacy, supportive enrichment services, and technology education.

Tags: access to capital, loans, financial literacy, financing, technology

Pacific Community Ventures

Invests in small businesses that create good jobs with dignity that address racial and gender wealth gaps, and make markets work for the common good.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

 People of Color Small Business Network (POC SBN)

One-on-one support for Black, Latino/a/x, immigrant, and undocumented business owners who reside or operate a business in the zip codes of 94601, 94603, 94605, and 94621.

Tags: advising, training, planning

PORT KITCHENS

A shared commercial kitchen space and experienced resource for food businesses of all scales, from first time business owners to seasoned vets.

Tags: workspace, commercial kitchen, networking

PORT LABS

Business advising, prototyping (3D printers), and expertise in materials, manufacturing process, assembly, testing, logistics, packaging, and more.

Tags: manufacturers, advising, technology

Project Equity

Provides free consultation and helps businesses understand and navigate the benefits of employee ownership models.

Tags: advising, advocacy

PROSPERA

Through culturally-based programs, Latinas access the networks, tools, and capital they need to become successful business owners and powerful community leaders.

Tags: capital, networking, coaching, training, workshops

RSF Social Finance

Provides funding to social enterprises in that are working to create long-term social and ecological benefit, especially in food, education, the arts, and the environment.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing, advising

RUNWAY

Provides Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs with early-stage “We believe in you” funding and holistic business support in order to bridge the racial wealth gap.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

The Sacramento Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA)

Business Center that helps California minority-owned enterprises access contracts in the public and private sectors including global opportunities as well as access to capital.

Tags: contracting, access to capital, loans, investments, financing

SCORE EAST BAY

Offers free business mentoring in multiple languages, low-cost or no-cost business training, and numerous templates and tools to help you start or grow a business.

Tags: advising, workshops, training, workforce development

SFMADE

Extensive resources, real estate, education, marketing, networking, advocacy, and collective procurement for the Bay Area manufacturing industry.

THE SMALl, LOCAL AND EMERGING BUSINESS (SLEB)

Enhances contracting and procurement opportunities for small, local, and emerging businesses within Alameda County.

Tags: contracting, county government

SMALL BUSINESS MAJORITY

Education for owners and employees on practical business topics: access to capital, healthcare, retirement/asset building, and workforce/employment issues.

Tags: advocacy, policy, workshops, training

Small Business Rising

A national coalition of independent businesses standing up for a level playing field by urging elected leaders to break the power of monopolies and safeguard fair competition.

Tags: advocacy, policy

STOPWASTE

Helps organizations lower operating costs, increase efficiency, and protect the environment through recycling,/reuse, waste prevention, and resource efficiency improvements.

Tags: waste management, recycling, green, sustainable

TMC FINANCING

Helps business owners secure and maintain SBA 504 loans, saving money by stopping lease payments, for financing the purchase of their own buildings.

Tags: access to capital, loans, financing, property

The Unity Council

“Onward Oakland” is an 18-month program that offers (in five languages) the necessary tools and resources to help business grow, thrive, and track their progress along the way.

Tags: advising, networking, training, planning

Uptima Bootcamp

Provides holistic and culturally relevant education, advising, and community to support diverse entrepreneurs in creating thriving businesses in service to their communities.

Tags: advising, training, planning

U.S. Small Business Administration

Assist small businesses in getting traditional loans ranging from microloans, to 504 loans, and 7(a) loans by reducing risk for lenders, which makes it easier for small businesses to get loans.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing

Venturize

Free online resource hub for small business owners particularly concerning loans, health care, retirement, and COVID-19 information.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing, covid, HR, retirement, health

Veterans Business Outreach Center

Advances the growth and competitiveness of veteran-owned small businesses through education and services in business development, technology deployment, and e-commerce.

Tags: training, workshops, planning

Visit Oakland

A portal for businesses to access and update their listing on VisitOakland.com, as well as the ability to post and promote upcoming events.

Tags: marketing, public relations

WARDROBE FOR OPPORTUNITY

Provides low-income professional/workplace attire to help in their efforts to find a job, keep a job, and build a career.​

Tags: support services

The Women's Business Center - Oakland

Training, counseling, and other support services to help women business owners and entrepreneurs start and successfully grow their businesses. 

Tags: advising, support services, training

Working Solutions

Early-stage financing to fund entrepreneurs with loans ranging from $5-$50K and to provide every funded entrepreneur with up to 5 years of consulting and resources.

Tags: access to capital, loans, investments, financing, advising